Amid Seattle search, FBI says no threat here

The FBI says there is no credible threat to the Staten Island Ferry, while security officials in Seattle are still on the lookout for two suspicious men seen taking photographs and measurements of sensitive areas of the Washington state ferry system.

A Seattle ferry captain took pictures of the men last month, after they were spotted acting suspiciously on as many as six different ferries, snapping photos and wandering into areas that are usually off-limits to commuters and tourists.

The FBI has distributed photos in an attempt to identify and question them, while admitting the men could be completely innocent and just overly curious about ferry operations.

But while tensions are high in Seattle, security experts here say the New York public transportation system, including the Ferry, has been subject to a higher-than-normal level of security since 9/11.

The ferries are all monitored by an extensive network of surveillance cameras, Coast Guard and NYPD patrols routinely scan the boats, and ferry staff are also trained to be aware of anything out of the norm.
"They are trained to look," said Coast Guard spokesman Chief Bob Laura. The armed officers, some uniformed, some undercover, randomly patrol the boats, looking for unusual behavior, like people who look nervous, or anyone wearing unusual clothing, such as bulky layers during the warmer months.

Armed, high-speed Coast Guard boats also routinely escort ferries across the harbor, to thwart an attack from another boat.

Meanwhile, ferry riders here said they welcome the post-9/11 security checks and wonder why the Seattle authorities didn't approach the suspicious men while they were onboard the boats.